Is it a cold or sinus infection?

As most people cannot tell between a cold or a sinus infection, this article by Jennifer Neff explains the difference between the two conditions. Excerpts of the article are reproduced as follows:

[ Susan Carol battled year-round sinus infections and colds for decades. She tried antibiotics and over-the-counter medicines to feel better, with mixed results.

"For years, I was confused about whether it was a cold or sinus infection," Carol said. "I just couldn't get better."

After a series of terrible sinus infections during the winter of 2008, the 54-year-old Fredericksburg native said she was referred to an allergist, who diagnosed a dust mite allergy.

Turns out that the sinus problems Carol experienced weren't just run-of-the mill colds. Allergies often play a big role in people's sinus woes.

Many people deal with irritated, inflamed sinuses by trying things such as over-the-counter nasal sprays, nasal rinses or antibiotics.

But it's important to distinguish between sinus infections--which may require antibiotic treatment--and other problems such as allergies or nasal polyps that call for different treatment.

INFECTED SINUSES

A sinus infection--known as sinusitis--occurs when the air-filled cavities, or sinuses, become inflamed or swollen.

Drainage becomes difficult, and mucus begins to build up, leading to sinus pressure and headaches.

Other symptoms of a sinus infection include:

Coughing

Aching in the upper jaw and teeth

Pressure around the eyes and nose.

But these symptoms also are associated with colds, which can make it hard to distinguish between the common cold and a sinus infection.

The main factor in determining whether a sinus infection is present is time. A good rule of thumb comes from Dr. Andrew Kim of the Allergy & Asthma Center of Fredericksburg:

If symptoms last less than seven days, the likely culprit is a cold caused by a virus, and antibiotics are not needed.

If symptoms last longer than seven days or get worse, the sufferer most likely has a bacterial infection or acute rhinosinusitis and will likely need antibiotic treatment.

Acute rhinosinusitis is a sinus infection that lingers for up to four weeks, Kim said. Treatment varies by person but may include a round of antibiotics, nasal rinses and decongestants.

If symptoms don't disappear after treatment, or if they rebound, then the problem may be chronic rhinosinusitis. Chronic rhinosinusitis lasts 12 weeks or more or is recurrent, according to Kim.

"Chronic sinusitis is usually caused by underlying conditions," Kim said.

Allergies, asthma, immune deficiencies, smoking and facial trauma all are closely associated with chronic sinusitis. So are anatomical obstructions such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps.

In rare instances, chronic sinusitis is caused by fungal infections, in which anti-fungal medicine is prescribed.

THE ALLERGY FACTOR

People with allergies are most likely to have chronic sinusitis, Kim said, so relieving their stuffy noses and facial pain means treating their underlying problem.

"Treatment of allergies definitely reduces sinusitis," Kim said.

Treatment ranges from over-the-counter medicines to allergy shots to, in some cases, surgery. People like Carol, with dust mite allergies, are encouraged to buy protective covers for their beds and pillows--dust mites are often found in bedding.

While over-the-counter medicines and decongestants are the most popular form of treatment for allergies, they come with a warning.

"If used chronically, symp-toms can become worse," Kim said.

Decongestants used for more than just a few days can cause symptoms to rebound and even become worse.

Allergy shots, which are less common, have more lasting effects than other medicines, studies say. According to one study reported in the Annuals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in 2004, 99 percent of 114 participants reported they thought their shots worked. Days off from school or work dropped by 72 percent.

Allergy shots not only help reduce allergy symptoms but also can help prevent asthma problems, as sinus troubles can cause asthma flare-ups.

For Carol, who long suffered from sinus problems, shots have helped. She said she started getting them a year ago.

"Even though I have the expense of the shots, it's more cost efficient," Carol said. "I'm going to the doctors less and now taking shots less. I just feel like I'm cured."

HOME REMEDIES

Though patients with sinus problems often are desperate for a pill to cure them, Kim cautions against the use of antibiotics.

"Most of the time you don't need antibiotics," Kim said.

Antibiotics have their place in the treatment of sinus infections, but overuse can breed antibiotic-resistant germs.

"It's not good to get antibiotics so frequently," Kim said. "We need to be more judicious about antibiotics."

Instead, Kim suggests first using home remedies such as nasal washes, neti pots and medicines containing Guaifenesin, and drinking plenty of water. Kim also suggests over-the-counter oral and nasal decongestants, but for only three days.

If problems persist, Kim recommends seeing an allergist for allergy testing, or an ear, nose and throat specialist to check for nasal polyps or a deviated septum.]